The San Miguel Basin Fair kicks off July 9 with a week-long schedule of family events, rich in western heritage and West End tradition. It’s jam-packed with community contests, numerous junior livestock shows, open fair contests, the junior livestock sale and a community dance.
It begins with the 4-H Youth Horse Show on July 9 at the San Miguel County Fairgrounds in Norwood. Returning for the second year is the 4-H Shooting Sports Competition on July 11 at the Ten Ring Gun Club in Nucla.
The annual Dessert Contest takes place July 11 in the Norwood School’s all-purpose room. Contestants are invited to submit their best pie, ice cream, cake and cookies for judging. Desserts can be dropped off 2-5 p.m., and the community can taste desserts starting at 6 p.m.
The San Miguel Basin Fair Board invites all to join them July 12 at 7 p.m. at the fairgrounds for pulled pork and beef sandwiches. Guests are asked to bring a covered dish to share. After, the 4-H Council will show “The Sandlot” for a community movie night.
The rest of the week is dedicated to livestock shows and the Open Fair. This year, the junior livestock program is larger than past years. Youth will be showcasing hogs at the Swine Show July 15 at 7 p.m.
Thursday, July 16, small animals — chickens, turkeys and rabbits — will take the center ring starting at 9 a.m. A highlight of the small animal show is the third annual Catch-a-Chicken contest. Kids can sign up to catch-a-chicken as they run around the show ring. As a prize, they may take cash or the chicken. Thursday night, it’s the goat and lambs’ turn to parade around the show ring, beginning at 5 p.m.
The Beef Show is July 17 at 7 p.m.
Before both the lamb and beef shows, the littlest locals will have the chance to get in the ring during the PeeWee Showmanship classes. They’ll shine up their boots and their bucket animals and show them, a great introduction for children and what many say is cutest part of the entire week. Parents can sign kids up by calling or texting Makayla Gordon, Fair Board President, at 970-417-1976.
Breeding project showcases also happen during the livestock shows as well.
“This is one of my favorite parts of 4-H and the fair,” Gordon said. “Some of these kids return with their breeding projects year after year to showcase multiple years of offspring. These breeding projects have become a starting point for many kids in creating their own cattle, sheep or hog herds.”
The Catch-a-Heifer program also contributes to the breeding shows. Local ranchers typically donate a heifer to the program each year.
“We are incredibly grateful for the generous donations of our local ranchers to keep the tradition of cattle ranching going,” Gordon said.
This year, Rynn Reams will be showing her steer from the Catch-a-Heifer contest two years ago.
“Rynn’s project really showcases what this program has been about. It was a starting point for her to develop her own herd and really understand what it takes to raise cattle,” Gordon said.
This year, however, the board is taking a break with the Catch-a-Heifer program.
The Open Fair contests will be on display July 17-18 at the San Miguel County Sheriff’s Annex featuring garden produce, artwork, photography, canned goods, baking, sewing, knitting, crocheting and more. The Open Fair is open to all ages, babies to senior citizens, allowing all to compete for blue ribbons. Ute Trail Study Club is the organizer.
Finally, the Fair Board invites all to join them July 18 for the Junior Livestock Sale. At 11:30 a.m. at the fairgrounds, ColoradoQ will be serving up a barbecue lunch. Everyone is invited, and tickets are $20 at the door. Following is the sale, open to the public, and a great opportunity for purchasing local, high-quality, home-grown meat.
“We have more animals that will be in the sale this year than previous years. The sale is crucial for kids to be able to pay their expenses for the year and to get started on the next year’s,” Gordon said.
Afterward, The Williams Brothers Band will perform for a community dance. All are invited.
“Our family dance is a great capstone to a week of long days full of hard work,” Gordon said.
She reminds all the fair week schedule is online at smbcountyfair.org.
